Nate Diaz had a little shock value left for everyone after his UFC 202 defeat to Conor McGregor.
At the post-fight press conference, Diaz started to smoke on the dais. It caught the media off-guard and called into question what exactly he was smoking. The speculation didn’t take long to be resolved.
I could be seeing things, but I think Diaz just smoked something up there on the dais.
— Ariel Helwani (@arielhelwani) August 21, 2016
Nate Diaz just smoked weed on the press conference stage. I believe he's still in competition...
— Mike Bohn (@MikeBohnMMA) August 21, 2016
Diaz was vaping.
Exactly what was he vaping? Cannabidiol (CBD) oil.
Nate is smoking CBD, which is … pic.twitter.com/3ZSwhmNzjH
— Erik Fontanez (@Nahmles) August 21, 2016
Per Nora Volkow, the director of the National Institute on Drug Abuse, writing for Huffington Post, CBD is one of the many chemicals in marijuana plants. The chemical “does not make people high and is not intoxicating.” The chemical is possibly therapeutic.
How will the CBD affect Diaz with his post-fight testing? That’s not exactly clear.
Here's Nate Diaz smoking a vape pen immediately following #UFC202. Says it's CBD oil. (vid by @bokamotoESPN) pic.twitter.com/zf113ej9Gy
— Mike Johnston (@MikeyJ_MMA) August 21, 2016
Combat Sports Law broke down the difference in testing procedures by the Nevada Athletic Commission (NAC) and the United States Anti-Doping Agency (USADA). The NAC adopts the World Anti-Doping Agency’s (WADA) guidelines, which ends with the post-fight sample being given. Whereas the UFC-USADA agreement extends the in-competition testing for six hours after the conclusion of the scheduled bout.
@SBNLukeThomas but it is a cannabinoid which is what is on the WADA prohibited list
— Erik Magraken (@erikmagraken) August 21, 2016
It is unknown when Diaz provided his samples or if his vaping during the media scrum would even lead to a positive test.
Given the troubles his brother, Nick, has gone through with positive tests in Nevada it was a curious decision to take to the pen right after the fight. No matter how slight, the possibility of a positive test result should have given the Stockton native some restraint.
It is just one more story to keep an eye on in the coming days and weeks. Diaz is never not entertaining.
Diaz vaping CBD as soon as the event concludes? We’re not surprised.
